Caroline Wozniacki found her game when it mattered most as she defeated good friend Angelique Kerber in their big semifinal match in Eastbourne, 2-6 7-6 (4) 6-4.
Both players were looking for their third final at this event, but it was the Dane and World No.2 Wozniacki who was the only player of the two that had gone all the way and won the title back in 2009. It truly was a battle of the two counter-punchers, who really do enjoy their time on the grass as it is a surface that gives them that little bit of license to strike through their shots when required, while also displaying their court coverage during some of the long rallies.
Kerber, who has experienced a bit of a resurgence under new coach Wim Fissette, started the final in the best possible fashion. She found lots of reward for targeting the Wozniacki forehand and she really worked her magic on her running forehand down the line, which over the years has been one of her trademark shots that she can rely upon. The beauty of watching the two-time Grand Slam champion play is how she can wrestle control of a point even from the end of her range when she looks seemingly dead and buried.
There was definitely a bit of a power shift in the second set. Wozniacki simply was the player making the braver moves, even dictating some of the points with her forehand side, but also found her range on her strong backhand down the line. Kerber recovered a 3-0 deficit and served for the match at 6-5, with a match point in hand, but her shot selection on the biggest point of the match let her down completely and the World No.2 Wozniacki was not hanging around to give her another opportunity to sail through to a third final. The difference from the key moments of the 2nd set and for large periods of the 3rd set was the fact that Wozniacki, who is known for her defensive capabilities, was willing to step inside the court and take advantage of Kerber being unwilling to take more risk as she continued her tentative, passive play from the baseline. It simply wasn’t a match that was decided by huge moments of momentum, but it was decided by the way that Wozniacki was able to keep a high level in terms of her quality of play in the close rallies in the 2nd and 3rd set. Kerber lacked bravery, while Wozniacki left the court ensuring she had no regrets when the match was finished.
“Yeah, definitely. We know each other’s games so well. We have had a lot of tough battles. I knew it was going to be difficult again out there today, but I got a little lucky in that second set and just kept my head down for the third one. Well, obviously I got lucky to break her there at 6-5. You know, I saved a match point when we had a great rally and I managed to, I think, hit the corner on that match point. Then, you know, in the tiebreaker, I started off aggressively and it went my way and I hit a few lines. Yeah, just kind of went from there.”
Wozniacki is one of the best competitors on tour and has been for the best part of a decade. Wozniacki talked about her ability to produce under pressure over the years and how that compares to maybe five years ago.
“I think I have always been good under pressure, and I have always been good in tight situations. So I think it’s all about just, you know, learning from previous mistakes and there will be mistakes in the future, too. But, you know, I think you just try and eliminate those and try and minimize those as much as possible.”
Wozniacki now moves into back-to-back finals at this event in Eastbourne, having been a losing finalist to Karolina Pliskova last year, and although Wozniacki hasn’t won the title in nine years, she has historically always played well at this event and starts as the favourite against 20-year-old newcomer Aryna Sabalenka in tomorrow’s final. It will be the first time that Wozniacki faces off against the Belarusian and the reigning Australian Open champion gave her take on what she expects in the final.
“She’s been playing well this week and trying to play aggressive. I just have to be ready for the first ball. Honestly, I’m just focusing on myself. Whatever she’s doing, she’s doing. I have to focus on myself and just try and play aggressive and just play my game.”
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